Wire straightening apparatus



Aug. 13,1963 A. P. JOHNSTON 3, 00,5 9

' WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS:

' Filed June 25, ess

i v a i A A 1 INVENTOR. r ew/mza 9 vGvMs-mv ilnited rates Eatent3,100,519 WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS Archibald P. Johnston, 1845 E.57th St., Los Angeles 5, Calif. Filed June 23, 1958, Ser. No. 743,799 3Claims. (Cl. 153-94) The present invention relates to a novel andimproved apparatus for straightening elongated objects such as wires,rods or tubes.

There have been heretofore proposed devices capable of straighteningmetallic wires or the like. These de vices generally include a series ofrotary dies or rollers eccentrically arranged in a single plane within acage or housing. The cage or housing is rotated about an axis ofrotation which substantially coincides with the direction of feedingmovement of a wire to be straightened through the cage. As the cage isrotated the wire is urged therethrough with the dies or rollerseffecting straightening of the wire. In certain of theseheretoforeproposed devices, the dies or rollers are tilted relative tothe axis 'of rotation so as to provide automatic feeding of the wirethrough the cage. The primary disadvantage of these heretofore-proposeddevices lies in their tendency to score the surface of the wire beingstraightened. Additionally, most of these devices cause the wire to betwisted during the straightening operation. Where the wire isconsiderably twisted as it is straightened, the likelihood exists thatoperating personnel may be injured should a discontinuity occur in thewire as it is being moved through the straightening device.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide wirestraightening apparatus which eliminates the disadvantages provided byheretofore-proposed Wire straightening devices.

Another object is to provide wire straightening apparatus which affordsautomatic feeding of the wire to be straightened.

A further object is to provide wire straightening apparatus which willprovide a wire of maximum straightness and minimum surface scoring.

Yet another object is to provide wire straightening apparatus that issimple of design and rugged of construction whereby it may afford a longand useful service life.

A further object of the invention is to provide wire straighteningapparatus which is more economical of construction, maintenance andoperation than heretoforeproposed devices of this nature.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide wirestraightening apparatus having a cage rotatable about its longitudinalaxis, with a wire to be straightened extending through the cage in adirection substantially coinciding with the axis of rotation of thecage. The cage supports a minimum of three sets of longitudinallyaligned and spaced wire-engaging members, each set being disposed in anindividual plane extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotationof the cage.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide wirestraightening apparatus so constructed that the wire-engaging membersmay be disposed at a minimum longitudinal spacing. This arrangementpermits the straightening operation to take place along a minimum lengthof the wire so as to provide maximum wire straightening efiiciency.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the appended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing wire straightening apparatusembodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE1; x

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a wire engaging rollerand its support means utilized in said apparatus; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic view illustrating the path of a wire beingstraightened through said apparatus during a wire straighteningoperation.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURES 1 through 5 thereof,there is shown a wire straightening apparatus embodying the presentinvention. This apparatus broadly includes a cage C which is adapted tobe rotated about its longitudinal axis, as by means of pulleys 29. Thewire to be straightened W is urged through the cage C in a directionsubstantially coinciding with the axis of rotation of the cage. The cageC supports a plurality of wire-engaging means, such as rollers R. Theradially inwardly disposed peripheries of the rollers R extend in radialdirection relative to the cage C adjustably toward, to and beyond thelatters axis of rotation so as to eifect deflection of the wire out of aline corresponding to the axis of rotation of the cage. The axis ofrotation of each of the rollers R is offset from the axis of rotation ofthe cage C whereby the engagement between the rollers and the wire Wwill automatically provide the motion of lineal translation of the wirethrough the cage.

More particularly, as indicated by the directional arrows in FIGURES 1,2 and 5, the wire W moves from left to right through the cage C. Thecage C includes an entrance disc 24 and an exit disc 25 from whichintegrally extend hubs 26 and 27, respectively. The hubs are journaledon a suitable frame (not shown) in a conventional manner. Theaforementioned pulleys 20 are affixed to the exit hub 25. A plurality(such as three) longitudinally extending, identical support bars 28, 28aand 28b rigidly extend between the discs 24 and 25. Each of the supportarms 28, 23a and 2812 are attached to the radially outer portion of aplurality of radially extending, roller-carrying arms, generallydesignated 30. The radially inner portions of each of theseroller-carrying arms 30 is formed with an internally threaded bore 32.Each of these bores 32 receives the externally threaded mounting shaft34 of one of the rollers R, each roller R being rotatable relative toits mounting shaft 34. The axis of rotation of each of the rollers Rlies in a plane which is substantially parallel with the axis ofrotation of the cage C, but disposed at an angle alpha relative thereto.'It has been determined that the angle alpha between the axis ofrotation of each of the rollers R and the axis of rotation of the cage Cshould be approximately the same. In practice, an angle alpha ofapproximately 45 degrees has proven satisfactory.

The intermediate portion of each of the support arms 3d is formed with aradially extending slot d ll. This slot it) receives a mounting boltassembly 42 that secures the support arm 30 to its respective supportbar Zil, 23a or 2%. The mounting bolt assembly 42 may be loosened so asto permit movement of the arms 32 radially inwardly and out-wardlyrelative to its support bar. Each arm 36 may be locked in a desiredposition by means of a radially extending adjustment bolt 44 which iscarried by a mounting block 46 formed on one side of the arm it}. Aswill be apparent by reference to FIGURE 3, the radially inner end ofeach adjustment bolt 44 abuts the radially inner surface 48 of itsrespective support arm. Preferably, the support bars 23, 28a and 28b aredisplaced degrees apart relative to the discs 24 and 25. With thisarrangecrnent, the rollers R are displaced 120 degrees circumferentiallyconsecutively relative to the axis of rotation of the cage C. Thisspacing is essential to proper operation of the first form of wirestraightening apparatus.

In the operation of the first form of wire straightening apparatusembodying the present invention, the wire to be straightened is threadedthrough the cage C in the manner indicated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5. Asnoted previously hereinbefore, the radially inwardly disposedperipheries of each of the rollers R extend in a radial directionrelative to the cage C adjustably toward, to and beyond the latters axisof rotation so as to effect deflection of the wire W out of a linecorresponding to the axis of rotation of the cage C. Accordingly, theperiphery of the rollers R will exert a radially inwardly directed forceupon the wire W. As the cage C is rotated, the Wire W will not only bestraightened by this compressive pressure of the rollers upon thesurface of the wire, but additionally since the axis of rotation of eachof the rollers R lies in a plane which is disposed at an angle relativeto the axisof rotation of the cage, the engagement of the rollers withthe wire will automatically provide the motion of lineal translation ofthe wire through the cage, i.e. the wire W will be automatically fedthrough the cage C at a lineal speed which is proportional to the rateof rotation of the cage. The contact between the periphery of therollers R and the surface of the wire W is a substantially true rollingmotion following a generally helical path because of the aforementionedrelative displacement of the rollers R 120 degrees circumferentiallyconsecutively relative to the axis of rotation of the cage C. Thesurface of the wire is accordingly not subject to being crushed, twistedor scratched by its engagement with the roller peripheries. As acorollary, the rollers do not tend to impart rotation to the wire W, noris any appreciable frictional heat generated between the rollers and thewire. Hence, the aforedescribed wire straightening apparatus willprovide a wire of maximum straightness and minimum surface scoring.

It should be particularly observed that the radially inner end of eachof the support arms 30 terminates radially outwardly of thewire-engaging surface of its respective roller R. This arrangement isimportant since it permits the longitudinal spacing of the rollers to becomparatively close. Thus, the length of the wire W being subjected to astraightening action may be kept to a minimum with respect to thediameter of such Wire. In this manner, the most eflicient wirestraightening operation is made possible.

It should be observed that although the drawings show each of therollers as extending radially inwardly relative to the cage beyond theaxis of rotation of the latter, it may be desirable under certaincircumstances to position certain of the rollers approximately even withthis axis. In this situation such rollers would serve primarily tocenter or guide the wire being straightened relative to the deflectingrollers.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that wirestraightening apparatus embodying the present invention is of simple,compact and economical construction. The amount of deflection impartedto the wire to be straightened may be accurately controlled.Additionally, the power requirements to rotate the cage may be kept to aminimum. 'Both forms of wire straightening apparatus provide a wire ofmaximum straightness with minimum surface scratching.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to theforegoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about itslongitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through saidcage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotationof said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting members insaid cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for saidwire-engaging and deflecting members each displaced circumferentially120 degrees, each set including a plurality of longitudinally alignedand spaced elements secured to said cage; means connecting each of saidcarrying members with one of said wire-engaging and deflecting memberswhereby the latter are displaced circumferentially and longitudinallyconsecutively relative to the axis of rotation of said cage and define aspiral path about said axis, the radially inner extremities of saidwire-engaging and deflecting members exerting compressive pressure uponsaid wire so as to deflect said wire out of a line corresponding to' theaxis of rotation of said cage as such cage is rotated; and adjustmentmeans interposed between each of said wire-engaging and deflectingmembers and said cage to adjust the distance between the wire-engagingsurfaces of said members and the axis of rotation of said cage along aradially extending path relative to said cage.

2. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about itslongitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through saidcage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotationof said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting rollers insaid cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for said rollers,each displaced circumferentially 120 de grees and each set including aplurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced elements secured to saidcage; and means rotatably connecting each of said carrying members withone of said rollers whereby the latter are displaced circurnferentiallyand longitudinally consecutively relative to the axis of rotation of:said cage to define a spiral path about said axis, the radially innerperipheries of said rollers exerting compressive pressure upon said Wireso as to deflect said Wire out of a line corresponding to the axis ofrotation of said cage with the axis of rotation of said rollers beingoffset from the axis of rotation of said cage whereby rotation of saidcage will effect automatic feeding of said wire through said cage withsaid wire being concurrently straightened.

3. Wire straightening apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the axesof rotation of the rollers carried by each set of longitudinally alignedrollercarrying members lie in a plane substantially parallel with theaxis of rotation of said cage but disposed at a substantially commonangle relative thereto.

4. Wire straightening apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidcommon angle approximates degrees when taken between the line extendingthrough the angle of rotation of said rollers and a line extending fromthe entrance to the exit side of said cage and corresponding to the axisof rotation of said cage.

5. Wire straightening apparatus, comprising: a cage rotatable about itslongitudinal axis with a wire to be straightened extending through saidcage in a direction substantially corresponding to the axis of rotation:of said cage; a plurality of wire-engaging and deflecting rollers insaid cage; a minimum of three sets of carrying members for said rollers,each displaced circumferentially 12.0 degrees and each set including aplurality of longitudinally aligned and spaced elements secured to saidcage; and means rotatably connecting each of said carrying members withone of said rollers whereby the latter are displaced circumferentiallyand longitudinally consecutively relative to the axis of rotation ofsaid cage and define a spiral path about said axis, the radially innerperipheries of said rollers exerting compressive pressure upon said wireso as to deflect said wire out of a line corresponding to the axis ofrotation of said cage, with the radially inner end of eachroller-carrying member terminating radially outwardly of the radiallyinward 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the axes of rotationof the rollers carried by each set of longitudinally alignedroller-carrying members lie in a plane substantially parallel with theaxis of rotation of said cage but disposed at a substantially commonangle relative thereto.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said common angleapproximates 45 degrees when taken between a line extending through theangle of rotation of said rollers and a line extending from the entranceto the exit side of said cage and corresponding to the axis of. rotationof said cage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSBrightman July 28, 1891 Teetor July 6, 1897 Brightman Nov. 8, 1898Burgher Feb. 9, 1915 Lehmann June 12, 1917 Ollard Dec. 20, 1921 StiefelMay 24, 1932 Heller Jan. 14, 1941

1. WIRE STRAIGHTENING APPARATUS, COMPRISING: A CAGE ROTATABLE ABOUT ITSLONGITUDINAL AXIS WITH A WIRE TO BE STRAIGHTENED EXTENDING THROUGH SAIDCAGE IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY CORRESPONDING TO THE AXIS OF ROTATIONOF SAID CAGE; A PLURALITY OF WIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERS INSAID CAGE; A MINIMUM OF THREE SETS OF CARRYING MEMBERS FOR SAIDWIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERS EACH DISPLACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY120 DEGREES, EACH SET INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY ALIGNEDAND SPACED ELEMENTS SECURED TO SAID CAGE; MEANS CONNECTING EACH OF SAIDCARRYING MEMBERS WITH ONE OF SAID WIRE-ENGAGING AND DEFLECTING MEMBERSWHEREBY THE LATTER ARE DISPLACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY